“The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication.” – Cecil B. De Mille

Welcome to the latest edition of the number one Defense Career Opportunities Newsletter, “DEFCON-1,” a networking newsletter featuring job opportunities and career advice for you, the men and women of the global defense, aerospace and security industry. DEFCON 1 is the companion newsletter to the Job of the Week newsletter for professional communicators (see below for instructions on how to subscribe to JOTW for free).

Please share these opportunities and refer this network to your friends in the defense industry. They can subscribe for free when they send a blank a-mail to DCO-subscribe@topica.com.

This is a cooperative network. That means everyone's participation is required to provide job opportunities to share. When you learn about a job opportunity in the defense sector, such as a position that comes open with your company, you send me the title, organization, location, and a brief description; link; or contact information, and I'll share.

(Note: If you wish to submit your resume for this position, please follow the instruction to apply online, but also send your resume to Ned at elundquist@alionscience.com, and I will also upload it into the system as a “refer a friend” submission for you.)

Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) is Raytheon's leader in mission systems integration. With a strong international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. armed forces, IDS provides integrated air and missile defense and naval and maritime war fighting solutions. Headquartered in Tewksbury , MA , IDS employs 13,000 people worldwide and generated $3.8 billion in 2005 revenue.

Raytheon's Electronic Design Directorate (EDD) provides engineering design, integration and production to core radar, sonar, torpedo and combat system competencies including process and control, integration and test, power systems, torpedo and sonar electronics, receivers and exciters, antennas and microwave subassemblies.

A Radar Cross Section Analyst is needed to support signatures on the DD(X) class Navy destroyer. Tasks include RCS modeling and simulation of antennas and supporting equipment, writing and presenting reports to communicate results, planning and supporting RCS measurements of equipment, and writing test reports.

Experience with scattering codes and practical low observable design practice. Applicant should be interested in working with a national signatures team to assist in designing the Navy's next generation of ships. http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobs/MA/Tewksbury//J7UNTDAEM

(Note: If you wish to submit your resume for this position, please follow the instruction to apply online, but also send your resume to Ned at elundquist@alionscience.com, and I will also upload it into the system as a “refer a friend” submission for you.)

PRINCIPAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Supports marketing communications projects and marketing campaigns. 2. Performs writing and editing of related materials. Supports GDIT business unit and division level business development and marketing communications requirements, including: campaign support, briefing support, advertising, brochures, white papers and reports, newsletters, website content, video/multimedia, and or other promotional activity. 3. Supports multidimensional cooperatively funded campaigns with program specific subcontractors, i.e., GWACs and ID/IQ programs. 4. Within the context of GDIT marketing campaigns, assists with the development of message platforms and external communications materials and provides external support services for corporate, division, and business unit marketing requirements. 5. Maintains current knowledge of company services, products, partners, and organization. 6. Maintains current knowledge of major industry, competitor and customer events, issues, and activities. 10. Works cooperatively with other GDIT communications and marketing staff and participates in special projects as required by department head.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 1. Typically requires five or more years of directly related marketing or communications corporate and/or agency experience in the federal IT marketplace. 2. Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, English, or related major required.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 1. Strong writing and editing skills, attention to detail, and applied knowledge of AP style are required. 2. Strong verbal skills, highly effective interpersonal communications skills and a creative mindset are required. 3. Experience with a federal IT focused public relations or ad agency or corporate federal IT focused marketing communications/public relations environment is required. Experience assisting with the implementation of successful integrated marketing communications campaigns for federal IT products or services desired. 4. Knowledge of and experience with GWAC, ID/IQ and or GSA schedule marketing is desired. 5. Proficiency in the use of MS word, spreadsheet, and or other related software applications.

Please mark your calendars and reserve December 20th, from 1600 to 1900, for the next Surface Navy Association social at Sine', Pentagon Row, 1301 South Joyce Street, Arlington, VA. There is no need to RSVP, just show up and share some holiday cheer with your fellow Surface Warriors and shipmates. Please bring along colleagues and friends who would like to strengthen their ties to the Surface Navy.

In the spirit of the holiday, SNA will be collecting toys for the Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program. If interested in donating, please bring a new, unwrapped toy suitable for children ages 0-14 to the social.

Well, we start with the concept that every day is a duty day. No weekends, no holidays. Like a ship at sea, there is only “on duty” and “off duty” with the constant reality that “off duty” only means “unless we need you.”

M*A*S*H did an excellent job of depicting military life during war. Much of the portrait they painted is valid for Contractors, with some aspects of the absurdity of life highlighted for us, some less. “McHale's Navy” is also an excellent work of art, for depicting wartime life as a long series of non-changing days & hours “off duty” punctuated by short periods of action. And with bored & creative men constantly seeking diversion by means in and outside of the “rules.” And varied interpretations of what the “rules” really mean.

The duty day is 12 hrs on, 12 off. Fortunately for some of us, there really isn't actual “work” to be done all 12 hrs of every day, so some of that duty time is spent watching DVD's or gaming on laptops; reading; or any other legal activity that doesn't include “napping” during an assigned work period. Much like the Navy, some of us are paid to be “prepared to work.”

My team in particular has 5 different 'missions' which keep us at various levels of “busy.” 4 different worksites in the IZ, and the daily potential to wander out to other more remote sites in the “Red Zone” or downtown Baghdad.

Our main focus is dealing with local nationals (Iraqis) on various intel & security issues; thrid country nationals in the area; and providing support and subject matter expertise to the military on Intel & Security issues.

Q. What will you do for Christmas? New Years??

As far as I know, both will be “just another Monday, another duty day.” The Coalition & US forces are trying very hard (I suspect too hard) to downplay our Christian roots and the whole “crusader” image. Even inside the Embassy, great pains are taken to minimize displays of religion or religious symbology.

The MWR staff & chow hall crew have erected a number of artificial Xmas trees with all the classic Anglo-Germanic touches. No mangers, no nativity scenes. There are a few tastefully done wreaths here and there on select doors.

I expect there will be a few appropriate presentations: one bulletin asks for volunteer Tuba players to assemble on the 24th for a “Tuba christmas” concert. The various Army & AF bands in country will probably do a series of concerts here and there.

Otherwise? the regular mission goes on, the mini-war will not notice the turning of the date.

Of course, heightened vigilance for both days will be in effect. The bad guys may choose the opportunity to target the many Christian churches & communities in Baghdad; may try attacking checkpoints or bases for the heightened press sensitivity and bigger “splash.” ie: “Car Bomb kills 23 soldiers & sailors on Christmas Eve in Baghdad”

Q. Is it dangerous:

Yes. Being in country is to be at risk. Random mortar strikes, “celebratory gun fire” or CGF, and the not-so-random roadside bombs are all risks we face everywhere in Iraq. CGF = 1 to 50 Iraqi men stepping outside and firing 3 to 50 rounds from AK 47's, pistols, and light machine guns into the sky to celebrate a wedding, a promotion, a birth, or a win at a poker hand. And old physics law = “What goes up Must come DOWN.” Many peoplein Baghdad get hit by random falling bullets each week. Usually won't kill you (unless you catch one in the head just right) but still a nasty gun-shot wound.

Statistically, however, my former jobs in the US were moredangerous. Much more dangerous just to drive 100 miles on 95 or the DC Beltway, than todrive across the IZ.

Enough for now: time is called.

Until the next time….

Michael

*** If you have an event or job fair to post and share, please send details to lundquist989@cs.com.

*** Ball cap of the week: Military Sealift Command

*** Coffee Mug of the Day: Naval Criminal Investigative Service

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